Scan barcode
bootman's review against another edition
5.0
I've been a huge wuss for most of my life. I've hated haunted houses and scary movies, and I'm a 35-year-old man, but my girlfriend loves all that spooky stuff. This last year, I've learned to love horror movies and being scared, and I wanted to learn some of the psychology behind it. This book from Margee Kerr is exactly that. Why do some people love scary movies? Why do people love haunted houses? What about adrenaline junkies who risk their lives? Are people who are into BDSM psychologically different? Kerr answers all these questions and much more.
As a lifetime lover of fear, Margee did a ton of research for this book, but my favorite was the final chapter. After all of her research, she puts together an ideal fear experiment, and it was really cool to hear about. I really enjoyed this book and wish there were more like it.
As a lifetime lover of fear, Margee did a ton of research for this book, but my favorite was the final chapter. After all of her research, she puts together an ideal fear experiment, and it was really cool to hear about. I really enjoyed this book and wish there were more like it.
rainycraze's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great book for an easy science read, or anyone interested in sociology. As a risk-averse person who mildly enjoys scary stuff, I thought the adventures of Kerr ranged from something innocuous I would likely do, right down to an objectively bad emotional decision in Bogotá. All adventures have a sense of suspense, as relevant physiological & psychological phenomena give explanations of what's going on under that adventure's particular fears.
_katsullivan's review against another edition
4.0
The science of fear is not an area of science I ever really considered, but this book does an excellent job at showing this, and discussing how different people react to different situations - Margee herself talks about her views on being in high places, and how that terrified her, but other things, like spending a night in ESP was thrilling to her (the exact opposite of my personal responses).
The section on Real Fear, was also interesting, giving a perspective of how people react in situations where their life is directly threatened - unlike in many tourist locations, where the fear is directly controlled and safe. e.g. rollercoasters, haunted houses etc. I wish she had gone into more depth about this, especially Kerr's personal experiences living in a rough area where her life was threatened, but I understand this may have been difficult or triggering for her to do so. The section where she discussed her experiences in Bogota, Colombia was also interesting, as she didn't hate on the country or city, but acknowledged that perhaps she read too much into the situation, or she ended up in the wrong place accidentally.
Kerr discussinng the construction of 'The Basement', where she brings together all her learning to create an interactive haunted house, that uses science to scare people is also fascinating, and I've definitely got it on my list if I ever go to Pittsburgh!
The section on Real Fear, was also interesting, giving a perspective of how people react in situations where their life is directly threatened - unlike in many tourist locations, where the fear is directly controlled and safe. e.g. rollercoasters, haunted houses etc. I wish she had gone into more depth about this, especially Kerr's personal experiences living in a rough area where her life was threatened, but I understand this may have been difficult or triggering for her to do so. The section where she discussed her experiences in Bogota, Colombia was also interesting, as she didn't hate on the country or city, but acknowledged that perhaps she read too much into the situation, or she ended up in the wrong place accidentally.
Kerr discussinng the construction of 'The Basement', where she brings together all her learning to create an interactive haunted house, that uses science to scare people is also fascinating, and I've definitely got it on my list if I ever go to Pittsburgh!
kblincoln's review against another edition
4.0
Margee Kerr is a sociologist with a fascination with thrill/startle type fear. It's no surprise that in this book she seeks out various experiences such as hanging off the CNN tower or riding the tallest rollercoaster in Japan (the Takabisha at Fuji-Q) or spending a night in solitary confinement in an abandoned penitentiary.
Her account of these experiences are interesting, and Margee is definitely not shy about letting the reader know her physical and emotional reactions to these experiences.
But for me, the somewhat deep nature of her ruminations interrupting the flow of the actual account of what happens in each scary situation felt a tad self-indulgent. Until she gets to the part where she talks about her help in creation of an interactive haunt called "the Basement" in ScareHouse.
Then she expertly weaves together the main takeaway from each experience into ways she then creates the same kind of fears in her clients at the Basement.
There's also a big focus on safety and using fear as a way to create community among people and also attain a less-anxious state that pretty much only makes sense after her journey to the suicide forest as well as her insistence that the Basement be consensual and include safewords.
Interesting to read in a Discovery Channel reality show way...with a touch of emotional depth.
Her account of these experiences are interesting, and Margee is definitely not shy about letting the reader know her physical and emotional reactions to these experiences.
But for me, the somewhat deep nature of her ruminations interrupting the flow of the actual account of what happens in each scary situation felt a tad self-indulgent. Until she gets to the part where she talks about her help in creation of an interactive haunt called "the Basement" in ScareHouse.
Then she expertly weaves together the main takeaway from each experience into ways she then creates the same kind of fears in her clients at the Basement.
There's also a big focus on safety and using fear as a way to create community among people and also attain a less-anxious state that pretty much only makes sense after her journey to the suicide forest as well as her insistence that the Basement be consensual and include safewords.
Interesting to read in a Discovery Channel reality show way...with a touch of emotional depth.
mgsardina's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
marginaliant's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating book top to tail. While sometimes it feels like Kerr is using the book as a kind of self-searching psychoanalysis which becomes tedious (we're subjected to pages of her working out her past traumas of living in a poor neighborhood--lol--and seeing a dead sheep--double lol), the actual science and the application of it to haunted house attractions is absolutely wonderful.
weirdcharl_'s review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.0
jo_in_bookland's review against another edition
4.0
The author is a sociologist who decided to travel the world to seek out thrilling experiences and scary places. One was in Toronto, near where I live: The CN tower's Edge walk. She found this much scarier than sky diving. I can see why since you're hanging off a 116 story building for about 40 minutes! She relates this and some of her other experiences while delving into the science of fear - what triggers it, how our bodies react to it, etc.
I think her experiences and the science were well balanced which made for a generally compelling read.
Margie brought back what she learned about fear back to Pittsburgh's Scare House, a "haunt" where she works. She created a bonus interactive extreme scare experience called The Basement. She details parts of this in the last chapter. Seems like a heck of an experience! I didn't understand the part about where people's lip are sewn shut though. What?!? Not literally I imagine!
The author also offers a list of some notable attractions including haunted places, scary entertainment and thrill rides.
Even though I'm not as much of a thrill seeker as I used to be in my younger days, I did enjoy this book.
I think her experiences and the science were well balanced which made for a generally compelling read.
Margie brought back what she learned about fear back to Pittsburgh's Scare House, a "haunt" where she works. She created a bonus interactive extreme scare experience called The Basement. She details parts of this in the last chapter. Seems like a heck of an experience! I didn't understand the part about where people's lip are sewn shut though. What?!? Not literally I imagine!
The author also offers a list of some notable attractions including haunted places, scary entertainment and thrill rides.
Even though I'm not as much of a thrill seeker as I used to be in my younger days, I did enjoy this book.